Dwight Howard’s recent decision to turn down millions of dollars to leave the storied Los Angeles Lakers and join the Houston Rockets shocked many people.
I mean, players grow up dreaming of playing for Lakers. Why would someone possibly leave the glitz and glamour of L.A., not to mention the weather and Hollywood atmosphere, to play in the “smaller market” of Houston, TX?
Howard’s decision has resulted in many people questioning him. Does he have the work ethic? Is he “hungry” enough? Shaquille O’Neil even questioned his ability to handle the bright lights and big city.
I was not surprised by Howard’s decision at all. In fact, I expected it.
What I did find surprising was how many of his reasons for leaving an established franchise like the Lakers paralleled the reasons young people leave established churches.
Romona Shelburne made three specific observations about Howard’s decision in a recent ESPN article. The following is a segment from that post:
“Howard looked at the Lakers and saw an aging roster, transitioning management and a tenacious force of personality in Bryant that he would rather run from than try to change.“
You can read the full article by clicking here. Let’s recap the three reasons:
1. Aging Roster.
Howard chose to play with James Harden, a 24-year-old All-Star who finished fifth in the league in scoring, rather than the 35-year-old Kobe Bryant coming off a severe Achilles injury.
Churches that are effective in reaching and maintaining the next generation focus their services and ministries on young people.
